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PSYCHOLOGY

Mr. Svetahor

 

DESCRIPTION:  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.  As such, we will analyze behavior to find out why people feel, think, and act as they do.  We will learn to describe, explain, predict, and change or modify human behavior.  We will also apply what we learn to our own emotions, thought processes, and actions in an attempt to better our own quality of life.  The challenge is to apply the basic principles of psychology in order to become better students and members of society.  A corollary function of the course is to determine if the career choice of psychologist or psychiatrist would be in your best interest.  Naturally, we will learn about the great psychologists and each of their unique contributions to the field of psychology.  The course basically follows a college-level track adapted to the high school student.


TEXT:  Understanding Psychology by Richard A. Kasschau, Ph.D., McGraw-Hill, 1992

GRADING:  The York County School Division (YCSD) grade system will be used.  Ninety percent of the course grade will consist of either two-weight or one-weight grades.  All tests and projects (research papers, experiments, surveys, etc.) will be assessed as two-weight grades.  Quizzes, class work, and homework will be assigned as one-weight grades.  The lowest quiz each quarter will be dropped.  Ten percent of the course grade each quarter will be assessed for class participation, conduct, and proper upkeep of the notebook.  For example, a student has two test scores of 90% and 75%, a project grade of 96%, four quiz grades of 80%, 100%, 100%, and 65%, homework grades of 100% and 99%, and has received full credit for class participation, conduct, and notebook.  The grade would be calculated as follows:

        STEP ONE:  2(90+75+96) + 80 + 100 + 100 + 100 + 99 = 1001 divided by 11 = 91%

        STEP TWO:  .91 X 90 = 81.9  [The “90” stands for “ninety percent of the course grade.”]

        STEP THREE:  81.9 + 10 = 91.9 (for a grade of 92% “A”)  [The “10” stands for “ten  percent of the course grade.”  Also, I will always round up                                        for  the grade.]

Please note that in the above example the lowest quiz grade of 65% was dropped from the calculation.  Also note that without the class participation, conduct, and notebook grade, the student would have fallen short of getting an “A” (would have received a 91% “B”).  Class behavior and attention to the notebook can pay dividends.  One more note:  “conduct” means not only in-class discipline but also getting to class on time—tardies are not good behavior and negatively affect the learning environment.

Unless prior arrangement was made, homework or projects will be assessed an automatic 5% loss for each day late (weekends excluded).  Failure to turn in the assignment will result in a 0% grade.

 EXTRA CREDIT:  Extra credit will only be assigned on a class-wide basis.  In other words, each and every student has the chance to receive the extra credit.  Extra credit points will be included gratis in the addition process of STEP ONE above.  Please don’t ask for individual extra credit.  Individual extra credit gives an unfair advantage over the other students.  As such, I consider it a form of cheating and will not use it.


REQUIRED MATERIALS:  You will be required to maintain a notebook for the course.  Your choice of notebook, but here are a few guidelines.  The notebook should be capable of holding any papers distributed in class.  The notebook should be inclusive for only this course.  (If I collect notebooks, I don’t want to have your notes and materials from other classes.)  The notebook should have ample pages for class notes and work.  In addition, you should always have a number-two pencil and either a black (preferred) or blue ink pen.  You must bring your textbook to class unless I give specific instructions not to.  (Please remember those extra ten percentage points in the GRADING section above!)


COURSE OUTLINE:  (Note:  the schedule may be modified according to class needs.)

            1st QUARTER:                      Introducing Psychology (Chapter 1)

                                                                Learning: Principles and Applications (Chapter 2)

                                                                Memory and Thought (Chapter 3)

                                                                Body and Behavior (Chapter 4)

                2nd QUARTER:                      Sensation and Behavior (Chapter 5)

                                                                Motivation and Emotion (Chapter 6)

                                                                Altered States of Consciousness (Chapter 7)

                                                                Infancy and Childhood (Chapter 8)

                3rd QUARTER:                      Adolescence (Chapter 9)

                                                                Adulthood and Old Age (Chapter 10)

                                                                Personality Theory (Chapter 11)

                                                                Psychological Testing (Chapter 12)

                4th QUARTER                       Stress and Health (Chapter 13)

                                                                Adjustment in Society (Chapter 14)

                                                                Abnormal Behavior (Chapter 15)

                                                                Therapy and Change (Chapter 16)

            Note:  Human Interaction (Chapter 17) and Attitudes and Social Influence (Chapter 18) will be incorporated throughout the
course.


CONTACT:  Please feel free to contact me either at my school email nsvetahor@ycsd.york.va.us or home email svetahor@aol.com.  I don’t mind answering questions from students or parents.

 

 

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